Kathleen Kelly Novak

Our mother, Kathleen Eileen, was a Celtic warrior queen.  Her final battle ended on October 1, 2024 in Port Orange, FL.

She was born in Frosses, County Donegal, Ireland on June 13, 1937.  During her childhood, she emigrated to America with her parents, Patrick and Mary Kelly, and her brothers, Daniel, Bernard, Patrick, John (Jackie), Clyde, and Neil and was raised in Bronx, New York.  She married our father, John Francis Foy in 1965 and had the three of us: Mary Helen, John Patrick, and Kelly Ann.

We grew up listening to her singing her favorite Irish songs (The Girl with the Black Velvet Band, A Mother's Love's a Blessing, the Homes of Donegal, and Danny Boy).  Engelbert Humperdinck and Elvis Presley made her swoon.  She could dance an impressive Twist and Irish Step with the best of them.  She was a striking woman with brilliant blue eyes, but what we will remember most is her lion heart.  We will always cherish memories of bullies cowering in fear as she defended us.

She spent her final years at Harbor Oaks Golden Years. We thank Margaret, Mike, and Catherine Ptak and Beth Snyder for giving her dignified, loving care. We also thank Advent Hospice for making her last days as comfortable as possible.

In addition to her caretakers, our mother was blessed with her grandchildren, Billy and Amanda; her son-in-law, Christopher; her brother, Jackie; her first born daughter, Laura; and her many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place between 2:00pm – 4:00pm on Monday, October 21, 2024, at Baldwin Brothers, 1 N. Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. A Mass will take place at St. Mary's Frosses in Ireland in the Spring, with additional celebrations of her life planned throughout Florida, including a "Yappy Hour" benefiting the Humane Society of Broward County.

In honor of our mother's unwavering spirit, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Military Outreach Ministry International Church which urgently needs a van to transport veterans to church and medical appointments while sustaining its Foodbank and Homeless Ministry. Your generosity will not only honor our mother but also the heroes who helped make her—and our—American Dreams possible.

https://militaryoutreachministries.org/give

Mom, your reign as heaven's feistiest angel has just begun. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.